Sandy Hook shooting sparks gun control talk in Iowa

Stores see spike in gun sales

The tragedy in Newtown, Conn., is sparking talks for gun control in Iowa.

Mike Sporer had record gun sales on Saturday. As the owner of The Gun Shoppe in Urbandale, he said it wasn't just due to holiday shopping. It was a reaction to the Sandy Hook shooting that brought in two types of people.

"The cost of living in a free society is we can't deny rights to millions of people because one person may do something wrong with it," Sporer said.

To get a handgun in Iowa, a person must get a background check through the local sheriff. They then issue a permit. For a long gun, local gun dealers call the FBI for a background check, and the FBI approves or denies the individual over the phone.

While Sporer said it usually takes three minutes for the FBI to check their database, it took 10 to 15 minutes on Saturday. Sporer said the FBI was "wildly busy," indicating gun sales were up across the nation.

The Iowa state House could see legislation proposals for gun control and the death penalty in the upcoming session, but Democratic Sen. Jack Hatch will focus on what he also said is the real cause -- mental illness.